A retired teacher from a leading private school was caught for sexually abusing pupils after a victim revealed his ordeal to Vanessa Feltz’s radio show after claiming he was initially ignored by police.

Peter Burr was jailed for four years at Hove Crown Court on Friday after admitting nine counts of indecently assaulting four boys aged 11 to 14 at Christ’s Hospital between 1969 and 1973.

One of the victims tried to report the crimes to officers at Horsham Police Station in 2000 but felt he was being “batted back” and no further action was taken, prosecutor Ahmed Hossain said.

It was not until December 3 2016 that the victim was prompted to email the producer of Feltz’s BBC Radio London programme when she discussed the football abuse scandal.

The producer put him in touch with detectives and an investigation was launched after he made contact with police in February last year.

Burr, 73, is the West Sussex school’s second former teacher to be jailed in as many months in separate prosecutions.

Judge Christine Henson said he had demonstrated a “gross abuse of trust” and preyed on vulnerable boys who were reluctant to speak out after they had been given a place at the school because a parent had died or their family had a low income.

Dressed in a dark jumper and striped shirt, Burr, of Kingswear, near Dartmouth, Devon, looked at the floor as details of his crimes were read to the court.

He invited pupils to visit his study for tea and cake and to watch television before fondling them.

One victim described how Burr enticed them with chocolate biscuits.

Former top private school teacher Peter Burr arriving at Hove Crown Court

The house tutor and physics teacher, who was responsible for patrolling bathrooms and dormitories, also became sexually aroused when he played with boys in the swimming pool, Mr Hossain said.

Christ’s Hospital head teacher Simon Reid said: “The victim testimony could have left no-one in any doubt as to the devastating and lasting impact of (Burr’s) actions.

“While these offences date back to the period 1969-73, and the school now provides the safest possible environment for its students, we will not shy away from continuing to challenge ourselves on every aspect of child protection.

“The thoughts of everyone at Christ’s Hospital school are very much with the victims in this case.”

Founded in the 16th century, the school charges boarders up to £31,500 a year and counts Sir Barnes Wallis, inventor of the bouncing bomb, and poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge as alumni.

Pupils still wear a Tudor-style uniform consisting of a long blue coat and high yellow socks.

One of the victims described the school at the time of Burr’s offences as having a “culture of corporal punishment” where pupils were told they were privileged to be attending, Mr Hossain said.

In a victim impact statement, one of the men, who was sent to Christ’s Hospital for free after his father died, said: “No matter how miserable the school made me, I believed it was my duty to go there and support my mother.

“Six times a day the pupils were told they ought to be thankful.

“There was no-one to turn to and no privacy.

“I learned that I had no rights and no status.

“There was no Harry Potter magic at Christ’s Hospital.”

He said he has struggled to maintain relationships and appears withdrawn, distant and arrogant as he tries to hide his past.

He added: “(Burr) could have been a good man and a decent teacher but instead he sat there like a stain and stole my childhood.”

Another victim said he felt confined to a life of celibacy as a result of Burr’s actions.

A third victim said he was not traumatised by the moment he had to forcefully push away Burr’s advances.

He said they had remained friends as he grew older and he was surprised to be considered a victim.

Burr, who arrived late to the hearing, was initially sentenced to three and a half years, but Judge Henson increased the term, saying she had said 42 months by mistake instead of 48 months.

He was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

Four other charges of indecent assault which he denied were left to lie on file.

Detective Inspector Wendy Burton said: "The victim did mention this to us when we met him last February and we made detailed enquiries, but we found no record of his making contact or reporting any allegations in 2000. However we fully investigated his report in 2017, and Burr has now been given a prison sentence. I can reassure victims that allegations and reports such as this are taken seriously and will be dealt with appropriately."

She said the case was investigated fully in 2017 and she moved to reassured victims that such allegations are taken seriously.

Burr’s prosecution is part of a wider investigation into allegations of abuse by former teachers at the school.

Former house master Peter Webb, 74, was jailed for four years in December.

Three more men are due in court later this year. Police have said the prosecutions are not linked.

Ajaz Karim, 63, who lives in London, denies nine charges of indecent assault and one attempted indecent assault against six female pupils. He is due to stand trial in April.

James Husband, 67, of York, is accused of four counts of rape and five counts of indecently assaulting a woman.

Gary Dobbie, 66, of Albi, France, is charged with seven counts of indecent assault and one attempted indecent assault against two men, as well as three counts of indecently assaulting two women.

Husband and Dobbie deny the charges and are due to stand trial in May.